Series: LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE—GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE
Pastor Gary Gulbranson
Sunday: The Gift of Faithfulness (I Timothy 1:18-20)
Introduction: We live in a “commitment-phobic” culture. People start things and then fail to finish them. They have “starting power” but not “staying power”. This tendency effects all areas of our lives including our life of faith. One of the best gifts we can give to the people with whom we live, work, and play is the gift of faithfulness.
The Christian life is a long journey with a specific destination. The “vehicle” that takes us to our destination is our relationship with God. We begin the journey when we get in the vehicle and turn on the engine. That’s starting power. Staying power is what it takes to move us along to our destination
In order to experience staying power, we need to know the following three things.
I. We need to know how to DRIVE. (II Timothy 1:13-14; 2:15)
A. This involves EDUCATION.
B. This involves EXPERIENCE.
II. We need to know the DANGERS of the road. (II Timothy 2:16-18)
A. Be aware of the DETOURS.
B. Be aware of the DISTRACTIONS.
III. We need to know our true DESTINATION. (Philippians 2:5-11; 3:12-14)
A. This involves the right DIRECTION.
B. This involves the right DISCERNMENT.
C. This involves the right DISCIPLINE.
D. This involves the right DESIRE.
Conclusion: Don’t be a DEMAS!)